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GEORGIA

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

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BULLETIN SERIAL No. 41 (C) MARCH, 1905.
THE SELECTION AND PREPARATION OF
SEED CORN
A CIRCULAR OF INFORMATION.
Bv CHAS. W. DAVIS,
NORTH GEORGIA AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, DAHLONEGA, GA.

ISSUED AND DISTRIBUTED UNDER DIRECTION OF
0. B. STEVENS, Commissioner, R. F. WRIGHT, Assistant.
CAPITOL BUILDING. - - - - ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

Byrd Printing Company, Atlanta.

GENERAL LIBRARY
JEC 13 1955

i

UNIVEI\31TY OF GF'

Considering this an opportune time for impressing upon

our farmers ,the great necessity of reducing their cotton

acreage and turning their attention more than ever before

to the cultivation of corn and other crops than cotton, we

have decided to issue and send out this excellent bulletin,

prepared by Prof. Chas. vV. Davis, who has given the sub-

ject of corn much thought and careful study, both from a

practical as well as a scientific standpoint.

0. B. STEVENS, Commissioner.



R. F. vVRIGHT, Assistant .

(

PART I.-A discussion of the low yield of corn in the State; importance of careful seed selection ; evil effects of barren stalks the breeding plot; pure-bred varieties; importing seed corn; white and colored varieties; time and manner of selecting seed: f'ltoring and testing the seed.
PART II.-How to judge seed corn.

PART I.

SELECTION AND PREPARATION OF SEED CORN.

Cotton and corn have long been the principal money crops of the South, and yet the census of 1900 shows the average yield of corn in Georgia to be less than ten bushe.ls per acre.. In the South before the Civil \Var, the area devoted to corn was greater than that devoted to cotton; but since then the cotton acreage has increased at an enormous rate, while the corn acreage has increased more slowly.
Since 1870 it has been the tendency of southern planters to produce cotton to the exclusion of other crops, relying upon railroads to transport corn from the great corn-producing states of the middle West.
The overproduction of cotton last season, thus reducing the price, will not doubt cause a diversification of crops in the South; hence the production of corn will receive greater attention than formerly; and as the interest in corn-growing increases, greater efforts will be made to increase the yield per acre. 'l'he average yield of corn per acre in the state is surprisingly low, being only 9.8, 9.2 and 9.1 bushels for the years 1899, 1889 and 1879 respectively. The average yield last year was probably not over eleven bushels. The following table will show graphically the comparative yield of Georgia and a few of the other states:

YIELD OF CoRN PER AcRE.

Iowa, - Illinois, Virginia, Alabama,S. A. States, - United States, Georgia, - - -

10

20

30

40

I

39.1

38 8

19.2

12.8

14 1
I
281

I

I

9 8

This low yield is no doubt due to several causes. Among these are: the exhaustion of the soil by methods of cultivation

- - - - - -

.. - - - - - - ----- ---

6

BULLETIN SERIAL No. 41 (C)

prior to the Civil War; poor methods of cultivation at the present time; planting best land to cotton; growing poor varieties; and failure to get a good stand on account of careless selection of seed. Not only will diversification of crops, which the present over-production of cotton is expected to bring about, cause a larger acreage to be planted to corn than formerly; but the recent increase in the number of products manufactured from corn will have a marked effect also, as there are at present 108 commercial products and 47 rood products obtained from corn. Perhaps the products of corn are less susceptible to adulteration than any other products. It is so cheap that it would be folly to spend even the time to adulterate it; so when you buy a preparation of corn, whether it be corn meal, corn starch, or some fancy prepared breakfast food, you may rest assured that you are carrying home corn, instead of some worthless substance as an adulterant. This is another reason why corn should receive more attention in the South.
Examine the following table :

VALVE, IN MILLION DOLLARS, OF GEORGIA'S FARM CROPS.

5
-- Cotton, - - - ! Corn, - - - - Hay and Forage, Vegetables, Wheat, Oats, - - Fruits, - - - -

10 15 20 25 30 35 40
I
I

As corn ranks next to cotton in value in the state, is it not deplorable that the yield per acre is so low? That the extremely low yield of corn in the South is not due to unfavorable conditions of soil and climate is evidenced by the fact that the largest yield of corn on record was grown in South Carolina-namely 237 bushels per acre. The census of 1880 gives the second largest yield per acre for any whole county in the United States to Issaquena County, Mississippi. Besides, the long season here during which it may be grown, gives us a special advantage in its production.

SEED CORN.

7

IMPORTANCE OF CAREFUL SEED SELECTION.
The object of this bulletin is to show that much can be done by the proper ,;election of seed corn. Whatever profit we may make, either in the quality of the crop or iri the yield, may be counted as clear profit. A few farmers in the State frequently produce from 75 to 100 bushels per acre. In 1899 there were 3,477,684 acres planted to corn in Georgia. Suppose the average yield per acre could be brought up to twenty bushels. 'rhis would be a gain of several million dollars to our farmers. Is it possible to increase the average yield to twenty bushels per acre? Tliere is no reason why it could not be done; but we must select better seed, grow better varieties, and use better methods of cultivation.
If we could have each stalk in the field produce one good ear, the ~Secret of a good yield would be found. One hundred fairsized ears of the commonly cultivated varieties will make 'one bushel of shelled corn. When stalks stand 24 inches apart in rows four feet wide, there are 5,445 stalks per acre which should produce fifty-five bushels. Does it not look easy?

BARREN STALKS.

Did you ever go over your field and make an estimate of the

number of barren stalks found therein. You would no doubt be

surprised at the number. Barrenness is a great source of loss in

the production of corn. Last fall in examining a number of

corn fields in the state, the writer found the percentage of barren

stalks to be very high, even much higher than one would suspect.

Not only do these stalks reduce the yield per acre, but they rob

the productive stalks of plant food, light and moisture; and what

is still worse, they produce pollen in abundance which fertilizes

the good stalks, thereby reducing the vigor and increasing the

barrenness of the succeeding crop when seed is selected from

this field. Cross-fertilization is beneficial, provided the pollen

is from a strong, vigorous, and productive plant. As a kernel

will produce a plant like both parents, and the number of pollen

grains in a tassel is ll!bout 49 million, we can readily imagine the

..

evil effects of allowing a large number of barren stalks to mature pollen.

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BULLETIN S ERIAL No. 41 (C)

'l'HE BREEDING PLOT.
Every farmer , or several farmers combined, should have a breeding plot or seed patch for the purpose of improving the seed. Corn being a wind-pollinated plant, the ploi should be isolated, say at least a quarter of a mile, as this is a safe distance to separate varieties to prevent a troublesome cross-pollination. If possible the prot should be located on the same kind of soil as that in which the selected seed is to be planted. Let it be uniform in f ertility, drainage, etc., so that differences in prochictiveness of individual ears can be noted. Choicest ears

F JG. 2.--DETASSELl NG WEc\K AND BARRE:\' STALKS.

should be p lanted, one ea r to a row. Have the rows numbered,

and plant by hand so that it may all be done as nearly alike as

possible. Remove tassels from all f eeble, diseased, and non-pro-

ductive stalks before they shed th eir pollen . Keep a record of

the yield of the different rows, and select your ears for n ext

year's seed patch fron1 the rows giving you the best type sought,



with the gr eatest yield p er acre . Do not expe0t too much ~he

SEED CORN.

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first year, for the varieties of corn grown in Georgia have never been bred to any particular type. However, you will be surprised to find such differences in the record of individual ears. 'l'he following table giving the result of an experiment at the Iowa station will give you some idea of what you may expect:

RECORD OF INDIVIDUAl, EARS.

Bushels per
Acre

Ear No.

Bu. per A.

75 j Yielded 90.56 bus. per acre ________________ 90.56

I 93

Yielded 36.06 bus. per acre ________________ 36_06

Percent of
Stand

{ 77

Gave 96.5 percent of a stand -------------83.03

73

Gave 43 percent of a stand ______________ 36 27

Number broken Stalks

54 85

{ Gave 258 broken stalks or 64 peroent ______ 67.52 Gave 41 broken stalks or 8 percent _____ 76.57

Number barren Stalks

{ 19

Gave 79 barren stalks or 21.5 percent _____ 50.5

83

Gave 6 barren stalks or 1.5 percent ______75.85

Number 37 ( Gave 106 suckers or 21 percent _____________ 77.93
of
Suckers 75 ( Gave 0 suckers ___________________________ 90 58

Thus you see a wide variation in individual ears. The yield ranges from 36 to 90 bushels per acre. The lowest yield was produced by ear No. 73, and was due to a low per cent. of stand. Ear No. 19 gave 21.5 per cent. barren stalks, while ear No. 83 ;!:ave only 1.5 per cent. We notice, too, a wide range in the number of broken stalks and suckers.
Suppose you continue to plant, year after year, the progeny of such ears as Nos. 73 and 19; can you expect a good yield? You undoubtedly are doing this to some extent every season.
If you have no isolated spot for your breeding plot, then-select a uniform piece of land as nearly as possible in the center of your corn field; plant the best corn next to the breeding plot, and grade off so that the poorest corn planted is farthest away. You will find this method will improve your corn wonderfully.
If you are interested in a scientific way you can accomplish a good deal by breeding and selection. One noted corn breeder has said:
''We have been able, by selecting ears having long shanks, to increase the length of the shank nearly two feet in five years'

10

BULLETI N SERI A L No. 41 (C)

selection. By selecting ears with t all stalks, we have been able to increase the height of the stalk almost three feet in five years. By selecting ears from stalks having narrow leaves, we h ave been able to decrease the width of th e leaf. By selecting ears high on the stalk, we have been able to raise the average height of all

FIG. 3.-CHOSSl NG VARfETIES OF CO RN.
ears in the fi eld; and by selecting ears low on the stalk, we have been able to lower all the ears in the field. By selecting ears high in protein, starch, oil or mineral constituents, we h ave been able to increase the per cent. of these elements of composition in the kernel, so that the value of the crop as a f eed, or for glucose purposes, has been infinitely increased.''

SEED CORN.

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v PURE-BRED ARIETJES.

That seed corn is the best which produces the largest yield per acre; and there can be no doubt that pure-bred varieties will accomplish this result. If you plant mixed varieties your corn Gannot be uniform in the tasseling and silking period; consequently it will be imposs~ble to have a uniform pollination. As the butt silks appear first, and the tip silks last, among the early stalks there will be a large number of ears with poorly filled butts, while the very late stalks will have many ears with poorly filled tips.
One of the first principles, then, in purchasing seed corn is to purchase that which is true to type; that is, it must produce the variety from which it purports to come. Unless this is done you have made a partial failure already.
Four years ago in Illinois, what is called the Illinois Seed Corn Breeders' Association was organized. The object of this organization was to furnish pure-bred corn to corn-growers and to prevent the loss from poor seed sent out by seed dealers. This work has been so successful, that the State Legislature appropriates ten thousand dollars annually for experimenting along the lines laid down by this Association.

IMPORTING SEED CORN.
Do not import seed corn from a distance for the bulk of your crop. Corn varies with its environment, and the variety which succeeds best in one state may prove a failure in another. Before extensive importation of seed corn is made from a distant locality, it would be well to test the variety on a small scale. On the whole, it would be better to import seed from a locality north of you than from one south. Southern grown varieties will produce large stalks with heavy foliage, but will be late in maturing, while northern grown varieties will be much smaller in ear but will mature earlier.
Last summer at the Iowa Agricultural College, the writer made a careful study of more than eighty varieties from different parts of the United States, all planted at the same timt\. Studying these varieties daily, it was surprising to see such a wide range in variation. That which matured earliest was from

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BULLETIN SERIAL No. 41 (C)

Minnesota, the latest from I. ouisiana. The latter had not produced tassels as late as the 20th of August.
We often hear it said that growing the same variety of corn on a farm, year after year, will cause it to ''run out.'' Such is not the case unlesg the farmer who starts with a pure-bred variety gives no attention to seed selection, or allows the detrimental effects caused by cross-pollination or mixed varieties.

PURCHASING SEED CORN ON THE EAR.
Do not hesitate to pay a good price for seed corn. Good seed at a high price is better than poor seed at a low price. Remember that your only safeguard is to insist that it be sent to you as ear corn. Under no circumstances receive it if it is shelled. Of course seed dealers will offer several reasons for their unwillingness to sell corn in the ear, but if honestly expressed, their chief reason would be that by so doing they are unable to dispose of a large number of small ears. It is evident that they cannot improve the corn by shelling it.
If all who buy seed corn would insist that it be delivered as ear corn, there would be a demand for unshelled corn, and as seed dealers find it to their profit to meet the demands of their patrons, this reform could be easily brought about; and the imposition upon growers by unscrupulous men would cease. A number of dealers in Illinois this season have advertised corn to be shipped in the ear.
Moreover, seed corn shelled a considerable time before planting is more than likely to have the germ injured.
A study of the different cuts in Part II of this bulletin, with the description of each, will enable you to see other reasons for buying your seed as ear corn. 'l'he purchaser should not expect too much. Perfect ears like perfect men are scarce. You must not expect the corn sent you to be up to the standard of show corn. That would be impm;sible. You will find few ears in Georgia with tips like No. 32 in Fig. 12, but you ought to find a good number with tips like No. 33. However, in buying seed, you have a right to demand that seed corn be sound, reasonably true to type, of good size, and uniform. If it is not, then return it.

SEED CORN.

13

vVHITE OR COLORED VARIETIES.
It seems to be a matter of dispute whether white or colored corn is better for feeding. Many feeders claim that colored corn is niore nutritious and fattening than white corn, but it is rloubtful if there are any foundations for this belief. Chemical analyses show very little difference in their composition. 'fhe following table by Jenkins and Winter gives the composition of thirty varieties of White Dent and twenty-eight of rellow Dent:

COMPOSITION OF WHITE AND YEJ,LOW CORN.

I INi}~~~en-~ Pr:o-1 ttl'tn.

Fat.

Fiber. I Ash.

extract.

Aside from their feeding value each has its special advantages. Hundreds of tests at experiment stations in all parts of the United States give the heavier yield to white corn. This does not mean that all white varieties under all circumstances are more productive than any yellow variety; but of all the varieties adapted to any particular locality, some one or more of the white varieties will give a greater yield than any of the colored varieties. Often we find colored varieties with stronger root systems ; and for this reason, they will stand up better when the crop is not to be gathered until late in the season. The grain, too, is usually harder and is less liable to decay if it falls to the ground.
TIME AND MANNER OF SELECTING SEED.
Much good can be accomplished without using the breeding plot, but do not rely upon selecting your seed from the crib. Even that is better than no selection at all; but in this manner, you know nothing about the parent plants of the selected ears. The kind of stalk from which the seed is selected is as important as the kind of ear. A large ear selected from the crib, does. not necessarily indicate the tendency of the parent plant to produce large ears. Its size may be due to the fact that it grew in a particularly fertile portion of the field, instead of being an ear

14

BULLETIN SERIAL No. 41 (C)

which has inherited ~rong characteristics from the parent stalk.

Besides you do not know whether the ear selected came from a

stalk which bore one or two ears. This is important. It has

been the experience of most southern planters, that those vari-

eties which produce two medium-sized ears on a stalk, give a

better yield than those which produce one large ear.

It would be difficult to give the kind and type of stalk from

which to select unless we knew the purpose for which it is to

be grown. As a rule, a stalk large in circumference near the

ground, with strong, vigorous foliage, free from diseases and

bearing one or more ears of good size, would be a desirable one

from which to select seed. If the corn is to be grown for

ensilage, let the stalk be large, leafy, succulent, and with a

tendency to remain green until the ear has reached considerable

development.

,

Avoid ears with long shanks, but select those which bend

over in ripening so that the top hangs downward. This will

lessen injury from long-continued rains.

Having determined the type, go over the field before the corn

is mature a:rad select and label those ears which conform nearest

to your ideal. Select about three times as much corn as will be

needed to plant your crop ; then after the corn has been har-

vested, select your seed, at the sl}me time, keeping in mind the

characteristics of good and bad ears as described and illustrated

in Part II of this bulletin.

Do NoT SELECT IMMATURE SEED.
Poor seed is often the result of its being gathered too early. If gathered before it is fully mature it will be chaffy, i. e., will not be properly filled with stored-up food; consequently vitality will be much weakened. When corn is gathered before it is fully matured it will have a tendency to become earlier when used for seed the next season; but this advantage will be offset by the weakening of the vitality as mentioned above.

STORING SEED CORN.
The storing of seed corn is not so important with southern planters as it is with planters of northern states, where they have extremely cold weather a good portion of the year. On account

SEED CORN.

15

of our long growing season, southern corn is usually fully mature before it is harvested, thus rendering it less liable to-injury by freezing. Even with us, it is a matter that cannot be wholly neglected. It is not moisture that kills seed corn, nor a low temp erature, but the two combined.
Seed corn should not be placed in barrels or boxes, or over large quantiti es of other grain, as it will gather moisture. In

FIG. 4.-VERY POOR EARS.
this condition poor ventilation will cause it to become mouldy. Perhaps the best method is to use a rack made of very narrow strips 'Of wood. This allows a free circulation of air, and when the corn is placed in a dry, well-ventilated room there can be no injury.
'rEsTING THE SEED.
Now for testing the seed. Discard all ears that are fre.quently called "chaffy." By this is meant looseness of kernels

16

BULLETIN SERIAL No. 41 (C)

on the cob; it indicates lack of maturity. The season not being long enough for the capacity of the kernels to be filled with starch, protein, oil, etc.; as the moisture dries out, it leaves the walls or seed coats unpacked. Chaffy ears can usually be detected at sight. but not always.
Ear 52 has the appearance of being chaffy, but it is not. It is solid and firm, yet it should not be used as seed on account of its poorly shaped kernels. Ear 51 is very chaffy. No. 50 is solid and firm and it has good shape, but the kernels are not uniform and there is no semblance of rows. Ear 53 has a fairly good butt, but the tip is abnormal. No. 52 has a good tip. All such ears as these should be discarded in selecting seed.
It pays to test the germination of every ear of corn used for seed. It is done as follows :
Take a shallow box and partly fill it with sand. Let the sand be as fine as can be procured ; it will hold moisture longer than coarse sand, thus rendering the conditions more favorable for germination. Moisten the sand and stir it up with your fingers so that the moisture will be uniform. Avoid an excess of moisture for then the corn would rot. Have it so that no water would run out if the box should be tilted. Over the sand place a cloth which has been checked by lines two inches apart. Let each square be numbered 1, 2, 3, etc., to correspond with the ears which are numbered also.
Now take each ear separately, and remove four kernels, taking them from different parts of the ear. I would suggest, take one from the butt, one from the tip and two from the middle ; but the middle ones should not be taken together. Turn the ear each time in removing the kernels, so as not to get them in a straight line. Place the kernels from the different ears in their numbered squares and cover with a moist cloth to prevent excessive evaporation. Over the cloth place a layer of moist <>and. If the sand becomes too dry, sprinkle warm water over it until it is thoroughly moistened; but remember the water must be warm, not hot. Place the box in a temperature of about 75 degrees Fahrenheit and examine it daily. Remove every kernel that sprouts and keep count. Be sure to leave it until you are satisfied no other kernels will sprout. Never plant kernels which

SEED CORN.

17

fail to germinate less than 92 per cent. Ears whose kernels make a slow, feeble germination should not be planted.
Another convenient method in testing is to use ordinary dinner plates, filled with sand. The sand in the plate may be divided into partitions by means of strips of wood or pasteboard. When the seed has been placed in the sand, cover with another plate to prevent evaporation.
\Vith the view of ascertaining the vitality of corn used for seed throughout the State, we sent requests for corn to a number of farmers in different counties. We sent no instruction, except that the corn sent be such as they usually select for their own seed. Corn was received and tested from Lumpkin, Hall, Walker, White, Walton, Cobb, Newnan, Catoosa, Cherokee, Oconee and Henry Counties. The following Is the percentage of germination of some of the samples:

Samples.

Per cent.

No.7-------------------------------------- 100

l'Jo. 8-------------------------------------- 98.3
No. 5-------------------------------------- 96.6
No. 3-------------------------------------- 96.6 No. 4-------------------------------------- 93.3
No. 9___ --~- _______________________________ 86.0

l'Jo. 6-------------------------------------- 82.0
No. 4-------------------------------------- 71.0 No. 2-------------------------------------- 60.0

The average germination of the above samples is 87 per cent.

This means an average loss of 8 per cent. Notice how great the

loss when corn like samples 2 and 4 are planted.

Often in attempting to impress farmers with the importance

of testing every ear used for seed, we meet with the objection that

''it takes too much time.'' Ten good ears will plant an acre of

corn; 100 ears can be tested in an hour. By this we mean the

whole time in putting seed in the sand and keeping the record.

At this rate enough corn to plant sixty acres, or more can be

tested in a day.

/

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BULLETIN SERIAL No. 41 (C)

PART II.
How To JuDGE SEED CoRN.
Part II is intended to show the difference between good and bad ears. \Ve wish to call attention to many points which are not considered by the majority of farmers while selecting seed. A careful study of this part of the bulletin will enable you to become more proficient in selecting corn, either for seed or for show corn.
Agricultural colleges now use score-cards and standards of perfection as guides to the careful study of each individual point in samples of corn. Samples are compared, one with another, and separately with the standard in order to find their proper ranking. By this method it is possible to find that sample which will be the best yielding, the most vigorqus, and the most profitable corn to grow.
The WTiter, in gathering material for the preparation of this bulletin, offered a cash prize to the farmers of Lumpkin County, Ga., for the best sample of ten ears of corn. The object was to ascertain just what kind of corn would be selected as prize corn. The following cut shows the four best ears from all the samples furnished.

SEED CORN.

19

FIG. 5:- BES'l' EAHS FROM LUMPKIN CO. PRIZE CORN.
'l'hese ears are fair, but are n ot up to th e standard. Ear 46 is by far the best ear . Its chi ef fault is its very narrow grains;
but the kernels fill the ear full all over , and are crowded hard
in t~e row. It is slightly tap ering, and it is a little short for its circu\nference. Nos. 48 and 49 have very good shape. E ach ear has some poorly shaped kernels.
'l'he next cut shows the four poorest ears selected from a ll the sampl es.

20

BULLETIN SERIAL No . 41 (C )

F IG. 6.- FOU R P OOREST E ARS FROM LUMPKI N CO . PRIZE CORN.
Nos. 43 and 45 are chaffy and would produce weak plants. No. 44 is distinctly taperin g, being due to the dropping of rows and shallow kernels n ear the ti p . Ear 42 seems to have no good points except uniformity of kernels. These ears are poor for pr ize corn a nd should not be used even for seed.
UNIFORMITY.
Qorn selected for seed, or for prize corn, should possess si mil ar or like char act eristics, i. e., uniformity in size, color, in dentation, et c.

SEED CORN.

21

FIG. 7. - SHAPE OF EARS. 4-cylindrical; 5-tnpering; 6- very tapering.
Cylindrical ears give a larger proportion of corn to cob than those which are tap ering. Each variety has its own peculiarity of shape, but in general, ears should be selected whi.ch have n early the same circumference.-.:from butt to tip. Tap ering ears are caused eith er by dropping of rows, or by very shallow kernels n ear the tip. These conditions cause irregular kernels.

22

BULLETIN SERIAL No. 41 (C)

FJG. 8. - LENGTH OF EARS. 1-too long ; 2- proper length ; 3- too short.
In determining length, measure from ext reme tip to extreme butt. Very long ears usually have shallow kernels, yielding a low vercentage of corn to cob. The proportion of circumference to length is as 3 to 4, i. e., an ear twelve inches long should be nine inches in circumference. E ar No. 1 is 13 inches long, and the -circumference is only 71/2 inches, while it should be 9% inches. The proportion of corn to cob is only 77 per cent., while ear No. 2 has 8:3 per cent.

SEED CORN.

23

FIG. 9.-CIRCUMFERENCE OF EARS. 7-too large; 8- proper circumference; 9-too large.
In measuring circumference use a tape line and measure about one-third the distance between the butt and tip. Ears too great in circumference are generally slow in maturing and this frequently r esults in soft corn.

24

BULLETIN SERIAL No. 41 (C )

FIG. 10.- B UTTS. 28-well rounded ; 29- moderatcly rounded; 30-shallow rounded.
Ears in which the butt is poorly filled have a small proportion of corn to cob, and the shank is usually very large and strong, which seriously interfer es in husking. 'l'he rows of kernels should extend in regular order over the butt, and when the shank is removed in husking, a r egular depression should be left, as in ear 28. Usually large butts, poorly filled, have large cobs, which are obj ectionable. Ears like No. 30 are often very sappy at the time of harvest.
We find more good butts than good tips. Fig. 11 shows why this is the case.

SEED CORN.

25

FIG. 11.-SILKS OF YOUNG EARS.
The butt silks appear first and frequently the pollen is mature before the tip silks are ready to receive it.
FIG. 12.-TIPS OF EARS. 32-~ell filled ; 33-partly filled; 34- poorly filled.
'fhe cause of poor tips is also explained by Fig. 11. The tips :-:hould be filled out with regular, uniform kernels. The lack of uniformity at or near the tip is due to irregular pollination. Tip kernels are much shorter and often assume a spherical shape. Part of the kernels are fertilized and part are unfertilized, or

26

BULLETIN SERIAL No. 41 (C )

some being fertilized later th an oth ers, the f ertilized kernels swell out into irregular shape in their efforts to fill all the space. The rows of kernels should extend in regular order in a straight line over the tip.

F IG. 13.- ARRA NGDIENT OF ROWS. 22-8 traigh t : 23- turn t o l eft; 24--turn to r igh t .

SEED CORN.

27

FIG. H .- INDENTATIO N. 25- s mooth; 26-medium; 2i - rough.
Corn select ed for seed should be uniform as to indentation so as to get an even pollination. Stalks produced from ears like those in the above cut would not silk and tassel at the same time. N os. 25 and 26 will shed their p ollen several" days before No. 27.

28

BULLETI N S ERIAL No. 41 (CJ

The shape of the kern el determines t he space between the rows. Broad, rounded kernels will n ecessarily have a wide space, while wedge-shaiJ ed ones wi ll have a narrow space. Kern els with smooth indentation, like No. 25 in Fig. 14, invariably have a wide space between th e rows. A wide space is a r eli c of the early type of Indian corn, and indicates a r eversion to the unim-

FIG. 15.-SPA CE: BETWEEK HOWS. 41- widc; 42-m ed ium ; 43-narrow.
proved varieties. No. 39 in Fig. 20 is an excellent example of rev ersion .
Narrow space between r ows indicates a large proportion of corn to cob. Sometimes ears are found in which the sp ace is too narrow, thus preventing the corn from drying out r eadily. If the rows are very close, the kernels may be so crowded Shat their proper shap e may be destroyed.
, .

SEED CORN.

29

F lG . 16.- GLOSE P AGI\l!\G OF KER NELS.
Both ea rs in th e cut above a re good examples of close p acking. The ea r on the left has its kernels crowded closely t ogeth er , but their natural shape has been destroyed. The kernels on the ear on th e r ight fit even more snugly, but they r etain their shape. Notice the shap e of the edges of the kernels of this ear. T~ey are V-shaped, r endered this way by the edge of each l;;crn el 's fitting between two others.

30

BULLETIN SERIAL No. 41 (C)

The cob should be small in proportion to the size of t he ear. Of course, a la ege .cob will hold more corn thaJl a small one, but 70 pounds of .ears with large cobs will not have as much grain as an equal weight of ear s with small cobs. An acre will produce a cer tain number of ears; the larger the ears the greater will be t he yield per acr e; but with a variety produ cing ears of

'

FIG . l7..:__SIZE m' COB.
35-too large; 36- proper s ize; a7- too small.
a meilium size, an increase in the size of the ears is accompanied by a decr ease in the number of ears per acre. So the best y ield is produced by that variety whi ch produces 175 to 200 mediumsized ears on each 100 stalks. Let us not increase the size of the ear at the expense of numbers. Ea.rs with large cobs are more liable to injury from rains, as large cobs are usually soft and op en at the butt.

SEED CORN.

31

The variety largely determines th e shape of the kernel. W edge-shaped kernels, other things being equal, have the greatest possible amount of grain to the cob. Wedge-shaped kernels with straight edges fit snugly from tip to crown leaving no space unfilled. \]\Tide, rounded kernels h ave a wide space between the r ows ai1d usually only 12 to 18 row's of kernels, while wedgeshaped kernels often have from 18 to 24 rm~rs to the ear.
The kernels shown above are far from uniform. It would be
poor work to plant such different types of kernels in the same fie ld.

FIG. 18.- l?O RMS OF KERNELS.
In the first place, no planter would make a uniform drop, and then there would be a less possibility of an even pollination as some stalks would be several cl ays earlier than others in maturing.
Pair 1 belongs to the broad typ e of kernels and is accompanied by a wide space between the rows. The second pair shows the rounded form, while 3 is the shoe-peg typ.e which lacks constitution . K ernels like pair 6 are very poor and weak. In this type much space is found between the kernels at the tip. P airs 4 and 5 show the best form of kernels. 'l'he kern els of No . 4 were taken from an ear of the famous Reid's Yellow Dent variety which is now gr own so extensively in the corn belt. They are small, but th!ly are of good form.

32

BULLETIN SERIAL No. 41 (C)

Large and small germs are shown above. Th e kernels are arranged in pairs: those with large germs on the left, the smaller ones on the right of each pair.
Large germs mean strong vitality and good constitution; from them strong hea lthy pl ants may be exp ected. Corn with large germs also has . a much higher fe eding value. 'L'he two most important constituents of a kernel are protein and oil.

FIG. 10. - LARGE AND SMALL, G8R~tS.
Protein is a muscle builder; oil is a fat producer. These constituents are distributed in all parts of the kernel, but are in greater abundance in the germ. The following table gives the per cent. of each in th e three parts of the kernel :

Percent of Protein .

~~~u~y-po~ti~ii-~ ~=~: I

19.28 7.93

Horny portion __ ____ 10.93

Porccnt of Oil.
34.6 .81
1.03

Percent of Ash.
10.11 ,52 .65

Total.
63 99 9.26 12.61

SEED CORN.

33

F IG. 20.- TIVO FA ULTY EARS.
\Ve have already referr ed to No. 39 as a good exn.mple of Tever sion. 'l' he space between the rows is wide, and ther e is a small number of rows to th e ear. Ear 38 has some good qualities. Its chief f ault is its poor butt. This is due largely to itc; extremely small sh ank H er e the sh ank is dwarfed until it is less than Dne-third the diamet er of the cob.

Ill~~~~~~~~illl~l~l~~~ ~l~illl]~j~llll
3 2108 05357 0720

34

B U LLETIN S ERIAL No. 41 (C )

*OFFICIAL CORN SCORE CARD .

N(tme of Scorn . ..... .... .. .. .. ... .. . ... ... . . . . Date .

. Place.

Sample No ..

1. Trueness to

'l'y pe or Breed

10

Uhrrracte ri s rirs.

2. S hape of Em.

10

a. Purity of Uolor- n. Grein.

5

b. Cob.

5

i. Vitality or Seed Condition .

10

5. T ips.

5

6. Butts .

5

7. K em els-a. U ni fo rm ity of

1Q

b. Shape of

5

8. Length of Eur. 10

9. Chcumference of Ear.

5

lO. Space- a. Furrow betweon Rows .

5

b. Space bet ween , k em els at Cob.

5

11. P roportion of Corn tc Cob.

10

rrotal . ..... .. 100

'Table .

I 1 _I_ 2

3

4

5

6

I 7

8 I' 9

10

I j_ _I_ - I-- - t- - - :- -:-

- - - I- -
- - ~ +-

+=~L - 1--L r--

I -1--
l - 1--

I-I--

r- --
t- - 1-
1- - 1-1-
1-- - 1-1-
r- - 1-

=c --
--
-1-
' - r-

~ I-1- -

1-

- r- 1-11 - - 1-

-I-

~- I1- 1 -1-1- 1 - -

I--
1-

-r- 1- - I -
-~-l r- - 1- 1-- 1--
r- - 1-1-

REASONS FOR CU'l'S.

* Thi s form of score card was prepared by Prof. P. G. Holden, of the I owa State College.

SEED CORN.

35

Explanation of Points in Corn Judging.

Trueness to Type or Breed Characterist ics. 10 Points-The ten ears in the sample should possess similar or like characteristics and should be true to the variety which they represent. 2 Shape of Ear. 10 Points-The shape of the ear should conform to the variety type. Ear s hould be full a nd strong in cen tral portion, and n ot taper too rapidly towar d t h e t ip, in dicating strong constitution and good .yield. 3 Purity of Ear (a,) Grain. 5 Points-Color of grain should be t r ue to variety and free fr om m ixture. For one or two mixed kernels, a cut of one-fourth point; for four or more mixed kernels, a cut of one-half point, should be m ade. Diffe r en ces in shade of color, as light or dark red, white or cream color, must be scor ed according to variety characteristics. (b) , Cob. 5 Points-An ear wit h white cob in yellow corn or red cob _in white corn, should be disqualified or marked zero. This mixture reduces the value of the corn for seed purposes, indicates lack of purity, and tends toward a too wide variation in time of maturity, size and shape of kernels, etc. 4 Vitality or Seed Condition. 10 Points-Corn should be in good market condition, show good constitution, being capable of producing strong vigorous growth a n d yield. 5 Tips. 5 Points-The form of tip should be r egular; kernels near tip should be of regular shape and size. Th e proportion of tip covered or filled, must be considered. Long pointed tips as well as blunt flatte n ed or double tips are objection able. 6 Butts. 5 Points-The rows of kernels should extend in regular order over the butt, leaving a deep depression when the shank is removed. Open and swelled butts, pressed and flat b utts w'ith flattened, glazed kernels, are objectionable and must be cut according to the judgment of the scorer. 7 Kernels. (a ) , Uniformity of 10 Points. (b) Shape of 5 Points-The kernels sh ould be uniform in sh ape and size mal,ing it possible to secure unifor mity in drop ping wit h the planter, and consequently a good stand. The kernels should also be, not only un iform on t he individual ear, but uniform with each ear in the sample. They should be uniform in color and true to variety type. The kernels should be so shaped t hat their edges touch from tip to crown. The tip portion of the kernel is rich in protein and oil, and hence of h igh feeding value. Kernels with a large germ insur e strong vigorous growth as w'ell as rich ness in qhality of kernel. 8 Length of Ear. 10 Points-The length of ear varies accord ing to variety, type and the characteristics sough t for by the individual breeder. Uniformity in length is to be sought for in a sample,

36

BULLETIN SERIAL No. 41 (C)

and a sample having even length of ears should score higher than one that varies, even if it be within the limits. Usual length of ears, 9 to 12 inches. Very long ears are objectionable because they usually have poor butts and tips, broad shallow kernels and hence a low percentage of corn to cob. 9 Circumfere,nce of Ear. 5 Points-The points made on length of ear, differing with variety types, hold true also in circumference of ear. The circumference of the ear should be in symmetry with its length. An ear too great in circumference for its length, is generally slow in maturing, and too frequently results in soft corn. Dimensions 6% to 9 inches in circumference. Measure the circumference at one-third the distance from the butt to the tip of the ear. 10 (a) Furrows Between Rows. 5 Points-The furrows between the rows of kernels should be of sufficient size to permit the corn to dry out readily, but not so large as to lose in proportion of corn to cob.
(b) Space Between Tips of Kernels at Cob. 5 Points-This is very objectionable as it indicates immaturity, weak constitution and poor feeding value. 11 Proportion of Corn to Cob. . 10 Points-The proportion of corn is determined by weight. Depth of kernels , size of cob, maturity, furrows and space at cob, all affect the proportion. In determining the proportion of corn to cob, weigh and shell every alternate ear in exhibit. Weigh the cobs and subtract from weight of ears, giving weight of corn; divide the weight of corn by total weight of ears which will give the per cent. of corn. Per cent. of corn should be from 86 to 87. For each per cent. short of standard, a cut of one and one-half points shall be made Each sample should consist of ten ears of corn.